The role of a physician in the composition of the Star Spangled Banner.
Incidental interactions between Dr. William Beanes, Francis Scott Key and British Rear Admiral George Cockburn led to a magical moment in U.S. history. During the War of 1812, Cockburn abducted Beanes and imprisoned him in the ship's brig. Key agreed to try to gain Beanes release since he was a civilian. Under a flag of truce, Key went to the British flagship anchored in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. Although the British agreed to release Beanes, they detained Key because he overheard their plans to attack Baltimore's Fort McHenry. Under guard on a small boat in the harbor, Key watched as the British bombardment continued all through the night. Inspired by the Americans' gallant defense, Key scribbled the immortal words of the national anthem on the back of an old letter. If the British Red Devil had not imprisoned the elderly physician, the reluctant soldier might never have written the stirring poem.